Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1887-03-24

The doctor worked with him anX
iously till he opened his eyes and be
trayed signs Of consciousness.
You must not speak, said the doc
tor warningly. Lie perfectly still and
put your hand on the place where tht
pain il. All, Is 1t there Not here
Are you sure there Is no pain here
Good y
He made a careful estimate of the
extent of the injury, and then called
Laura aside.
1t Is not so bad as feared he said
confdentially but he must not be
moved on any account. Everything
depends on his being kept quiet. And
yet, he added doubtfully. Il don't see
how we can manage here.'
Il will take care of him, doctor, Lau-
ra said quickly, If that IS what you
mean
Laura, my DEAR interposed Mrs.
Grafton.
We'll mamma, we can't leave him
here to die =
He must have friends somewhere.
They ough: to be sent for.'
Il happen to know, madame observ-
ed the doctor, that he is quite alone.
He is foreigner-an Italian, believe.
They call him Stefano.'
Il will stay with him. Laura reiter-
ated.
Aud stay she did, though Mrs. Graf
ton WAS scandalized by her uncalled.
for devotion.
AS the man began to recover she
made him all manner Of dainties, which
were set forth on tempting china.
When she found that he cared to
read she secured the library for books
that would please him, but failed to
find what he liked, until on day he ask
ed for Petrarch, and Dante. and
Ariosto.
What are you thinking, signorlna p
he asked one day, as she sat with one
of the grea. poets in her haud, after an
hours reading.
Il was wondering she said hesita-
tingly, why you ever chose to be
marble cutter ? should have thought
some other trade would have suited
you BETTER
How, signorina p he asked with
peculiar smile.
There is not much scope in tomb
stones for.poetry or love Of he beauti-
full. What are you laughing at p she
demanded, as he INDUCED himself in a
merry outburst.
Il was laughing at the idea, he said,
striving to regain his gravity. Yes,
it is a mean business, cutting tomb
stones
And don't suppose il pays very
well p said Laura, doubtfully.
No, not very well. When one is
sick and can't cut tombstones, he
might as we'll give up and get one of
his own.'
This was uttered with such sudden
accession of gloom. that Laura hasten
ed to say
Don't get respondent, ,Stefano. You
will have some work just as soon as
you are well. My mother wants a
tombstone for my grandfatheI's grave
indeed, am not quitej sure but it
will he monument-and she has
promised to let you have the work.
Il am much obliged, signorina,' he
said in smothered voice that; came
from behind his hand.
He coughed vigorously for several
minutes, and then he managed to say {:
flow can ever repay you for all
your kindness, Signolina Laura ? Will
you let me teach you Italian when am
well ? I should like that
When Laura proposed this to her
mother. Mrs. Grafton was up in arms,
but Laura had har -way-nnt ithst and
ing. and The lessons began.
Il saw you out in the shed this morn
ing,' said Laura reproachfully, one day
when Stefano had gone against the doc
or's orders
True but one must live = he an
swered with shrug. And there is
your grandfather's tombstone
Never mind that. He has waited
eighteen years for it, and he can wait
little longer. You must take care Of
yourself, Stefano. II is not fair to me
for you:to overtax YOURSELF
His face suddenly lighted with JOY.
rs it possible that you care. signori-
ma p be cried eagerly.
IL want to see you we'll. If you
get sick again, it will throw discredit
on me as a nurse. l do wish you would
give up marble-cuLting altogether
'One might il he had some inspira.
ton, he said in low tone Il could
give up anything for you. IL thought
some day you would love me one-half
so we'll as love you, 1 would do any
thing make any sacrifice
SStnfona - oh